Chameleone fails to show up in Malawi again
Malawi’s gig goers are still seething with frustration after what was supposed to be a live encounter with Uganda’s Jose Chameleone proved a second heartbreak in less than a month.
The Ugandan singer was expected to hold four shows in Blantyre and Lilongwe last weekend, but fans only got a replay of what compelled his host, Linc International director Jamvier Ngoga, to reschedule the tour from October 26—the Bayuda star was not in Malawi.
Last week, Ngoga—who attributed last month’s heartbreak to lack of venues—blamed “logistical problems†when the singer failed to arrive on Wednesday. This cast doubts over Chemeleone’s coming, but the promoter said the show was on. Likewise, his import promised a great experience.
On Monday, Ngoga pleaded clueless to why Chameleone had withdrawn—saying he felt for himself, fans, artists and everybody who believed in the retake.
“This time, I don’t have a proper answer. I am trying to get back to Chameleone to understand why he failed to come. My heart is with the people who feel cheated again,†said Ngoga in an interview.
This portrays Chameleone as ever-changing as his camouflaging namesake in the bush. His phone went unanswered.
While fans were whining about wasted time and transport costs, Robins Park proprietor Robin Alufandika said last-minute cancellations erode reputation of venues.
“We don’t know why Chameleone didn’t come. But when a show is called off, we get about 75 percent of the booking fee. We would have made more money if we had hired it out to other people,†said Alufandika in an interview.
The cost could be higher because Chameleone was set to meet Zambia’s General Kanene and local giants—Black Missionaries, Lucius Banda, Skeffa Chimoto, Armstrong and Piksy—were booked at four venues, including Ngoga’s Mungo Park in Lilongwe.
When asked, Blacks leader Anjiru Fumulani said they learnt about the no-show on Friday afternoon and they would meet to discuss payment issues and the business they lost on Friday.
